Former UK star Meyer selected for MLB Futures Game

Alex Meyer threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a UK game this season. (Britney McIntosh, UK Athletics)

This time a year ago, Alex Meyer had just wrapped up a strong junior season at Kentucky and was in negotiations with the Washington Nationals, the team that picked him in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

Now, UK's highest draft pick since 1996 is in the middle of his first full season as a professional. Even though he missed out on the Wildcats' memorable season, he's on the way to make some memories of his own. The 6-foot-9 right hander has been chosen to represent the United States in the 2012 MLB Futures Game, an event that features some of the best up-and-coming players in the minor leagues.

Meyer is qualified based on 14 solid starts with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. He boasts a 6-3 record with an ERA of 3.33. He has 77 strikeouts in 70.1 innings, allowing 28 walks and 56 hits in the process.

His time with the Suns is his first action as a professional, as contract discussions ended up lasting until close to last season's deadline. His performance in 2012 is a continuation of his 2011 season as a Wildcat, when he was a second-team All-SEC selection with seven wins, a 2.94 ERA and 110 strikeouts. He finished his UK career No. 8 in school history in strikeouts.

You can watch Meyer in the Futures game - which will be played in Kansas City over All-Star Weekend - on July 8 at 5 p.m. on ESPN2 and MLB.TV.